Video recording camera

ABSTRACT

A hand-held video recording camera includes a lens and an image pickup operatively arranged to receive image information from the lens for converting the image information into an electric image data output signal. A microphonic arrangement in or on the camera is operatively arranged to receive sound from a subject or subjects within view of the lens for producing audio signals corresponding to the sound received. Means are provided within the camera for recording signals representing the image data and audio signals. A source of further audio signals is provided within the hand-held camera. Audio signal mixing means within the hand-held camera mix the audio signals corresponding to the sound received by the microphone arrangement and to the further audio signals from the internal source. The audio mixing means has its output coupled to the recording means so that signals representing the audio signals can be recorded, as well as signals representing image data. Reproducing means carried by or within the hand-held recording camera and responsive to the further audio signals from the source of further audio signals within the hand-held camera projects sound corresponding to the further audio signals toward a subject or subjects being recorded.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a video camera which includes a videorecorder (VCR). More particularly, the invention relates to such acamera which is portable and includes circuitry to receive and to mix atleast two audio inputs, one of which may be from a microphonearrangement responsive to sound from the subject or subjects beingrecorded.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A hand-held video camera having an image sensor, such as a chargecoupled device (CCD), and an integral VCR is known from U.S. Pat. No.4,530,015 granted July 16, 1985 to Seiichi Yanagida et al. and entitled"Camera with Integral Magnetic Recorder," an optical system, a VTRsection and a hand-grip being supported on three substantiallyperpendicular integral support members. No circuitry is provided forrecording any audio or audible signals.

A hand-held video recording camera having an image pickup and amicrophone for picking up audible sounds from a subject or subjectsbeing recorded is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,511,932 entitled "VideoRecording Camera" and granted on Apr. 16, 1985 to Tatsuzo Ushiro. Nocircuitry is provided for recording audio or audible signals from anysource other than a single microphone.

A hand-held video recording camera which includes a demountable videotape recorder (VTR), as well as a microphone for picking up audiblesounds from a subject or subjects being recorded is known from U.S. Pat.No. 4,547,815 entitled "Detachably Connected Video Camera VideoRecorder" granted on Oct. 15, 1985 to Takashi Kimura. Control buttonsare provided on the main body of the camera for selecting theoperational mode thereof. No provision is made for receiving any audioor audible signals from any source other than the single microphone.

A hand-held video recording camera which may be provided with twomicrophones is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,550,343 entitled "VideoCamera Apparatus" granted to Nobuyuki Nakatani on Oct. 29, 1985, the twomicrophones being provided to allow the audible sounds from a subject orsubjects to be received and recorded in stereo, one of the microphonesbeing a left (L) channel microphone while the other is a right (R)channel microphone. No circuitry is provided for recording any audio oraudible signals from a source other than the subject or subjects.

Commercially available, hand-held video recording cameras are known. Oneof these, available from Zenith Electronics Corporation, whose addressis 1000 Milwaukee Avenue, Glenview, Ill. 60025, under the designationModel VM7100, includes a stereophonic high fidelity audio recording andplayback, using rotary audio heads, a high fidelity stereo microphonearrangement being carried on the camera proper. A service manual isavailable from the Zenith Video Tech Corporation, a subsidiary of theZenith Electronics, under the designation 5M-CPC 923-2240 relating tothe commercially available camera, the manual being incorporated hereinin its entirety by reference. External jacks are provided to receiveaudio and/or video inputs from conventional prerecorded VHS highfidelity stereo cassettes, tuners and television sets. No circuitry isprovided to effect mixing of audio from any internal (on-board) audiosource with the signals received from the microphone arrangement nor foroutputting audible or audio signals from any internal (on-board) audiosource to the subject or subjects being recorded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a hand-held videorecording camera which includes an on-board source of audio signalswhich may be acoustically reproduced within the hearing of a subject orsubjects being recorded via a speaker arrangement on or electronicallycoupled to the camera proper.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-held videorecording camera including an on-board source of audio signals which maybe mixed with audio signals from a microphone arrangement operativelypositioned on or in the camera to receive sound from the subject orsubjects being recorded.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a hand-heldvideo recording camera which contemporaneously achieves the above-notedobjects.

A further object is to provide a hand-held video camera which includes asource of recorded audio signals to be recorded therein which may bestarted and stopped, as the video recording is started and stopped, sothat on playback the audio interruptions are virtually not discernableto a listener.

The foregoing objects, as well as others which are to come apparent fromthe text below, are achieved in accordance with the present invention asdefined in the appended claims.

The present invention can be seen as being in a hand-held videorecording camera which has a lens, an image pickup means operativelyarranged to receive image information from the lens for converting theimage information into an electric image data output signal andmicrophonic means. The microphone means are operatively arranged toreceive sound from a subject or subjects within view of the lens forproducing audio signals corresponding to the sound received. Meansrecord signals representing the image data and audio signals. Inaccordance with a salient novel feature of the present invention, asource is provided within the hand-held recording camera of furtheraudio signals. Audio mixing means within the hand-held recording cameramix the audio signals corresponding to the sound received by themicrophone means and to the further audio signals. The audio mixingmeans has its output coupled to the means for recording signalsrepresenting the image data and the audio signals. Reproducing meanscarried by or coupled to the hand-held recording camera respond to thefurther audio signals from the source of further audio signals withinthe hand-held recording camera project sound corresponding to thefurther audio signals toward a subject or subjects to be recorded.

The source within the hand-held recording camera of audio signalspreferably is a compact disk player. Of course, other sources, such asan audio cassette, may replace the compact disk player.

Signal level adjusting means, desirably provided to adjust level of thefurther audio signals, is in circuit between the source of the furtheraudio signals and the reproducing means responsive to the further audiosignals. Thus, the level of sound projected toward a subject or subjectsmay be adjustably set.

The recording camera desirably includes at least one hand-grip. Themeans in circuit for adjusting level of the further audio signals,whereby level of sound projected may be adjustably set, includes anactuator carried by the hand-grip and accessible to an operator holdingthe camera.

The recording camera also may include additional means for adjusting thelevel of the further audio signals in circuit between the source offurther audio signals and the audio mixing means. Thus, the level of theaudio signals from the source of further audio signals can beindependently adjusted with respect to audio signals received from themicrophone means.

The recording camera desirably includes a hand-grip. The means incircuit between the source of further audio signals and the audio mixingmeans may include an actuator carried by the hand-grip and accessible toan operator holding the camera. Thus, the level of the audio signalsmixed from the source of further audio signals can be adjustedindependently of the sound projected toward the subject or subjects.

The recording camera desirably includes a hand-grip as noted above, themeans in circuit for adjusting level of the further audio signalsincluding a first actuator carried by the hand-grip. Additional meansfor adjusting the level of the further audio signals are in circuitbetween the source of further audio signals and the audio mixing means.The additional means includes an additional actuator carried by thehand-grip. The actuators are accessible to an operator holding thecamera.

The recording camera of the present invention is desirably provided withmeans for assuring that whenever the video recorder is restarted torecord scenes in sequence, the audio from the internal source of furtheraudio signals starts to be recorded at virtually the point of priorinterruption.

The recording camera may include means on the camera for receiving anaudio signal from an external audio source.

The recording camera may include means responsive to the presence of aconnection to the receptor means for interrupting audio being fed to themixing means from the source of the further audio signals within thehand-held recording camera and for allowing audio signals from theexternal audio source to be fed to the mixing means via said connectionand the receptor. In this case, provisions may be made so that the audiofrom the external source may also be fed to the reproducing means so asto be heard by the subject or subjects being recorded.

The recording camera may include receptor means on the hand-held cameracoupled to the source of audio signals within the hand-held camera,further reproducing means being provided for projecting soundcorresponding to the further audio signals toward a subject or subjectsto be recorded. Extension cord means extend from the receptor means tothe further reproducing means whereby audio signals from the source offurther audio signals may be projected toward the subject or subjectsfrom points which are remote from the hand-held recording camera. As analternative, a short range, modulated radio transmitter may be carriedby the hand-held recording camera to transmit the further audio signals,in this case as modulation on a carrier, to a remote radio receiver,which demodulates the signal and supplies the resulting audio to thefurther reproducing means.

The recording camera may include means responsive to the presence of aconnection to receptor means reproducing means carried by the hand-heldcamera, to interrupt audio signals being fed to the reproducing meanscarried by the recording camera and to allow instead audio signals fromthe source of further audio signals within the recording camera to befed to the further reproducing means, which may be a speaker connectedto the receptor means via a pair of leads or cable.

The recording camera may include receptor means on the camera forreceiving an external audio signal from an external audio source forrecording.

The recording camera may include means responsive to the presence of aconnection to the receptor means for interrupting audio being fed to themixing means from the source of the further audio signals within thehand-held camera and for allowing audio signals from the external audiosource to be fed to the mixing means via the connection and thereceptor.

The recording camera may include receptor means on the hand-held cameracoupled to the source of audio signals within the hand-held camera,further reproducing means for projecting sound corresponding to thefurther audio signals toward a subject or subjects to be recorded, andextension cord means extending from the receptor means to the furtherreproducing means. Thus, audio signals from the source of the furtheraudio signals can be projected toward the subject or subjects frompoints which are remote from the hand-held recording camera.

The recording camera may include means responsive to the presence of aconnection to the receptor means for interrupting audio being fed to thereproducing means carried by the hand-held camera and for allowing audiosignals from the source of further audio signals within the recordingcamera to be fed to a modulated radio transmitter carried by the camera.In this case, a radio receiver positioned remotely from the camera maybe used to receive radio signals from the transmitter, demodulate thereceived signals to derive the audio therefrom and fed the audio to aspeaker or the like. It is also possible to use one or more radioreceivers carried by respective subjects to be recorded, each subjectbeing provided with an earphone or the like to hear the audio derivedfrom demodulation of the received radio signals.

From a first subcombination aspect, the present invention can be viewedas being in a hand-held video recording camera having a lens, an imagepickup means operatively arranged to receive image information from thelens for converting the image information into an electric image dataoutput signal and microphonic means. The microphone means, which receivesound from a subject or subjects within view of the lens, produce audiosignals corresponding to the sound received. Means record signalsrepresenting the image data and audio signals. In accordance with thepresent invention, a source is provided within the hand-held recordingcamera of further audio signals. Audio mixing means within the hand-heldrecording camera for mixing the audio signals corresponding to the soundreceived by the microphone means and to the further audio signals, theaudio mixing means having its output coupled to the means for recordingsignals representing the image data and the audio signals.

From another vantage point, the present invention in a secondsubcombination aspect, can be seen as being in a hand-held videorecording camera having a lens, an image pickup means operativelyarranged to receive image information from the lens for converting theimage information into an electric image data output signal andmicrophonic means. The microphone means are operatively arranged toreceive sound from a subject or subjects within view of the lens forproducing audio signals corresponding to the sound received and meansfor recording signals representing the image data and audio signals. Inaccordance with the present invention, a source of further audio signalsis provided within the hand-held recording camera. Reproducing meanscarried by the hand-held recording camera respond to the further audiosignals from the source of further audio signals within the hand-heldrecording camera for projecting sound corresponding to the further audiosignals toward a subject or subjects to be recorded.

The invention can also be seen as being in a hand-held video recordingcamera having a lens, an image pickup means operatively arranged toreceive image information from the lens for converting the imageinformation into an electric image data output signal and microphonicmeans operatively arranged to receive sound from a subject or subjectswithin view of the lens for producing audio signals corresponding to thesound received. Means for recording signals representing the image dataand audio signals are provided. In accordance with a salient feature ofthe invention, a source of further audio signals is provided within thecamera, audio mixing means being provided within the hand-held camerafor mixing the audio signals corresponding to the sound received by themicrophone means and to the further audio signals. The audio mixing hasits output coupled to the means for recording signals representing theimage data and the audio signals. Means assure restarting the recordingof signals from the audio source within the hand-held camera atvirtually the same point at which the signals from the source had beeninterrupted immediately preceding the stopping of recording the videoand audio. Thus, one can play back an interrupted recording sequence ofvisual scenes, with the audio from the source of the further audiosignals seemingly not interrupted.

The invention can also be seen as being in a system which includes ahand-held video recording camera having a lens, an image pickup meansoperatively arranged to receive image information from the lens forconverting the image information into an electric image data outputsignal and microphonic means operatively arranged to receive sound froma subject or subjects within view of the lens for producing audiosignals corresponding to the sound received. Means for recording signalsrepresenting the image data and audio signals are provided. Inaccordance with a salient feature of the invention, a source of furtheraudio signals is provided, audio mixing means being provided within thehand-held camera for mixing the audio signals corresponding to the soundreceived by the microphone means and to the further audio signals. Theaudio mixing has its output coupled to the means for recording signalsrepresenting the image data and the audio signals. Means assurerestarting the recording of signals from the source of further audiosignals at virtually the same point at which the signals from the sourcehad been interrupted immediately preceding the stopping of recording thevideo and audio. Thus, one can play back an interrupted recordingsequence of visual scenes, with the audio from the source of the furtheraudio signals seemingly not interrupted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a pictorial illustration of a hand-held video recordingcamera constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, the viewing vantage point being such that the leftside of the camera is visible in detail.

FIG. 1B is a pictorial illustration of the hand-held video recordingcamera of FIG. 1A, the viewing vantage point in this case being suchthat the right side of the camera is visible in detail.

FIG. 2 is a partially block, simplified schematic diagram of a portionof the circuitry used in the hand-held video recording cameraillustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the camera, its hand grip and somecomponents being diagrammatically represented by dotted lines.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial illustration of a modified version of thehand-held recording camera shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B in which a radio linkor a line link communication is used to provide the subject or subjectswith signals from the internal audio source.

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of an automatic control circuitincluding a microprocessor, which may be used in the hand-held recordingcameras of FIGS. 1A, 1B and 3, to assure that the recording process canbe interrupted and later restarted, while assuring that the recording ofsignals from the internal audio source will recommence at virtually thesame point at which it was interrupted.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart useful in understanding the operationof the circuit of FIG. 4 and setting out a series of operational stepscontrolled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a preferred, exemplary embodiment ofa hand-held recording video camera, constructed in accordance with thepresent invention, is indicated generally by the numeral 10. The videocamera includes a box-like main housing defined by a substantiallyrectangular, vertical, rear wall (not visible), a horizontal, bottomwall (not visible), a substantially rectangular top wall 11, asubstantially rectangular vertical, left wall 12 (FIG. 1A), a verticalfront wall 13 and a substantially rectangular vertical right wall 14(FIG. 1B).

A cylindrical viewfinder housing 16 having a lens 17 on its distal endextends outwardly from the front wall 13 near the top thereof.Conventional optics (not visible) within the camera 10 effect thetransmittal of images within the viewing angle of the lens 17 in ahorizontal, hollow support member 19 which preferably is integral withthe main housing and extends outwardly from the left wall 12. Thesupport member 19 has its distal end turned to the rear by substantially90°. A resilient eye shade 15 is positioned on the distal end of thehollow support 19 so that a cameraman or camerawoman may readily bringhis or her head into contact with the shade, thus, preventing ambientlight from interfering with his or her viewing, with the right eye, animage from the viewfinder lens 17, conventional optics being providedwithin the hollow support 19 for this purpose. Of course, conventionalelectronic imaging could be used instead.

A small forward extension housing 20 is provided on the front wall 13 ofthe camera 10, conventional circuitry being provided therein, ifdesired, to supply light images representing operating conditions, suchas tape speed and the like, so that these images may be superimposedover the optical image from the viewfinder lens 17 and, consequently, bevisible to the cameraman or camerawoman using the viewfinder 16. Amultilead cable 18 is provided to supply signals from internal circuitpoints within the camera 10 to circuitry, including conventionaldecoders, within the housing 20, which develop the light images to besuperimposed over the optical image. An electronic viewfinder of thetype used in the video recording camera is available from the ZenithElectronics Corporation under the designation VM7100 can be used if onewishes to monitor the scene being recorded, while allowing one to seemode and warning indicators as well.

The camera 10 includes convention imaging and scanning systems, such asa CCD and associated circuitry within a further housing 21 extendingoutwardly from the front wall 13 beneath the housing 20. The opticalimaging section, generally designated by the numeral 22 is conventional,including as shown, a knurled, internally threaded ring 23 which effectsthe axial movement of a cylindrical telescoped zoom lens support 24. Anobjective lens 26 carried by the support 24, is surrounded at itsperiphery by a shading member 25. It is to be appreciated that theimaging system could be an automatic-focus, power zoom lens, such as thetype used in the above-mentioned VHS recording video camera availableunder the designation VM7100 from the Zenith Electronics Corporation.

An operator's conventional shoulder-engaging support 27 is provided, thesupport being fixed to and carried, as illustrated, from the bottom wallof the camera 10. A removable video cassette is provided within thecamera 10, its reel of video recording tape 30 being visible through anaperture in a panel 28 (FIG. 1A) behind which the cassette is held. Aconventional depressable latching button 29 is provided for allowing oneto remove from and to insert video cassettes into the camera 10, asdesired. The video and audio signals to be recorded are conventionallyrecorded on the recording tape 30 in a conventional manner, such as inthe manner utilized in the above-mentioned VHS camera of the ZenithElectronics Corporation available under the designation VM7100.

A pair of microphones 31 and 32, which are respectively right and leftmicrophones, are shown, are conventionally mounted on the top wall 11.

A pair of microphones 31 and 32, which are respectively right and leftmicrophones, are as illustrated respectively swivelly mounted onrespected supports 33 and 34 fixed to the top wall 11 of the camera 10.Thus, stereo audio inputs responsive to sounds from a subject orsubjects being recorded is possible and contemplated. It is to beunderstood that this microphone array or a similar one could be housedwithin the camera 10, as is the case with respect to the above-mentionedVHS camera sold under the designation VM7100 by the Zenith ElectronicsCorporation.

A multifaceted, shaped speaker housing 35 extends upwardly from the topwall 11 in vicinity of the front wall 13 above the viewfinder 16. Anopening, covered by a speaker grill 36, is provided in the front of thehousing 35 so that sound can be projected toward a subject or subjectsbeing recorded. The sound sensitivity pattern of the speaker isdesirably chosen and the microphones 31, 32 so positioned, with respectthereto, that little or no energy therefrom is picked up by themicrophones 31, 32 or radiated to the rear.

In accordance with the present invention, an internal audio source isprovided within the camera 10. As shown, the audio source is constitutedby a compact disk (CD) player 53 (FIG. 1B), a compact disk 54 beingvisible through a window in the player. The compact disk player isprovided with conventional respective stop, play, rewind, fast-forwardand pause control push-button actuators 55-59. The CD player 53 can beremovably supported with the camera 10 by conventional techniques. Amanually operable conventional latching button 64 is provided for thepurpose of allowing one to unlatch the door behind which the CD 54 ispositioned to allow one to remove and to replace it. It is to beappreciated that the internal audio source may be a conventional audiocassette or the like, instead of the CD player 53, which is to bepreferred. The CD player 53 need not have its own power source, but canbe powered from the same conventional rechargeable batteries within thecamera 10 which supply power to the video recorder. Conventional latches(not shown) may be used to allow one to remove the CD player 53 from thecamera 10 and use it apart from the camera.

A pair of receptacles 65a and 65b accessible through the right wall ofthe housing 20 may be provided for receiving respective left and rightaudio signal inputs from an external source or sources (not shown) wereone to wish to record audio signals from an external source or sources,rather than from the CD player 53. In this case, the insertion of plugsinto the receptacles 65a and 65b would, in effect, disconnect the stereooutput from the CD player 53 and allow audio supplied to the receptacles65a and 65b to be recorded and supplied to the speaker behind the grill36.

A hand-grasp 37 is adjustably articulated between a pair of bracketswhich extended outwardly from the front wall 13 of the camera 10, anAllen-headed bolt 38 being provided which extends through the leftbracket and into a threaded bore within the other bracket. Whentightened, the bolt 38 fixes the hand-grip 37 in a comfortable position,which may be adjusted to accommodate different persons. The hand-grip 37includes four scalloped grooves 40a -40d on its anterior surface, thesegrooves being so shaped and positioned that an operator can position thefour fingers of his or her right hand in these grooves, with the thumbof the right hand positioned in a somewhat wider curved groove 40e inthe posterior surface of the hand-grip 37.

In accordance with the present invention an audio pause actuator button41 (which can effect a pausing of the CD player 53), a first knurledaudio level adjusting actuator 42 (which can effect an adjustment in theaudio signal level of outputs from the microphones 31, 32), a secondknurled audio level adjusting actuator 42 (which can effect adjustmentof the audio signal levels from the CD player 53) and a rocker switchactuator 43 (which can effect a music search of compositions on the CD54) are provided on a side surface of the hand-grip 37 so that each ofthese switches can be readily manipulated by the operator's fingers. Ifdesired, electronics circuitry may be provided to sense cut orcomposition number or time identification indicia or the like on the CD54 and feed developed signals indicating the cut or composition or timeto conventional decoding circuitry which, in turn, would energize aliquid crystal display or the like. Optics could be provided to projectan image from the display so that the image would be viewable in theviewfinder 15 as an image superimposed on an image of the scene to berecorded. The technique contemplated is substantially the same as thetechnique used in superimposing mode and in warning indicators overscenes in a viewfinder of the type used in the camera sold under thedesignation VM7100 by the Zenith Electronics Corporation.

Two button actuators 45 and 46 are provided in the vicinity of thethumb-receiving groove 40e so that the thumb of a cameraman orcamerawoman can readily and comfortably use these button actuators tostart/stop the video recording process and/or start/stop the audio feedfrom both internal and external sources to the VCR within the camera 10.In accordance with another especially useful feature of the presentinvention an additional actuator 39 is positioned in the vicinity of thethumb-receiving groove 40e, this particular actuator being operativelyarranged to initiate an automatic pause-rewind-start-record sequence ofevents, in accordance with the program sequence set out in FIG. 5 inflowchart from, so that audio from the internal source shown as thecompact disk player 53 and its associated compact disk 54 will appear tohave not been interrupted, even when the recording processes have beeninterrupted, for example, when several different scenes are to berecorded. Provisions are made to assure that video recording is alwaysrestarted at the end of a complete field or frame and the audiorecording restarted at virtually the point of prior interruption, byusing the circuitry of FIG. 4 to effect the steps shown in FIG. 5.

As an aid to holding the camera 10 steady, an elastic member 50 fixed tothe housing 21 is provided along a curved portion of the outer surfaceof the housing. A cameraman or camerawoman can place the fingers andpalm of the left hand beneath the elastic member 50 along the curvedsurface, with the fingers in position to depress a rectangular buttonactuator 51 for turning the power of the camera 10 on and off and tomanipulate the knurled actuator 52 for the purpose of adjusting thelevel of sound projected from the speaker behind the grill 36.

A pair of left and right audio level adjusting slidable actuators 47aand 47b are accessible through the side wall 12 so that the relativesignal levels of the outputs from the respective left and rightmicrophones 31 and 32 can be easily set, if desired, to provide aselective balance.

As illustrated the radio transmitter 60 having an antenna 61 ispositioned on the camera 10. An audio output receptacle 62 is providedfor feeding audio from one or another of the audio channels of the CDplayer 53 to the transmitter 60 via an input receptacle 63 therein. Asuitable short patch cord or jumper (not shown) may be provided for thispurpose. When a plug on one end of the jumper is inserted into thereceptacle 62, the speaker behind the grill 36 is taken out of circuitso that sound is not projected therefrom. Rather, audio from the CDplayer 53 is used to modulate the radio transmitter 60, which isprovided with a radiating antenna 61. A remote speaker or the like canbe coupled to the camera 10 via an extension cord (not shown in FIGS.1A, 1B) or the like so as to provide audio to a remote speaker or thelike (see FIG. 3). In operation when an audio jack or plug is positionedin the receptacle 62 the speaker behind the grill 36 is automaticallytaken out of circuit, as noted above. The radio transmitter 60 and theextension cord are respective alternatives to using the speaker behindthe grill and, in many situations, are to be preferred.

An earphone jack 48 (FIG. 1A) is provided on the housing of the camera10 so that a cameraman or camerawoman may insert an earphone plug (notshown) therein and hear the audio being recorded. A pair microphonejacks 49a and 49b are provided, in the event remote microphones, insteadof using the camera mounted microphones 31, 32, are to be used inpicking up sound from the subject or subjects being recorded.

In accordance with the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 2, someof the circuit components are housed within the main housing, showndiagrammatically as a dashed-lined block 9, of the hand-held videocamera 10 (FIG. 1A, 1B), other of the circuit components being housedwithin the hand-grasp 37 (FIGS. 1A, 1B), shown diagrammatically as adashed-line block in FIG. 2.

The electrical outputs from the right and left microphones 31, 32 arerespectively connected, via respective single-pole, double-throwswitches 220 and 221, to respective level setting potentiometers 201 and202, the respective output wipers of which are manually adjustable bythe respective finger-movable actuators 47a and 47b (also shown in FIG.1A). The outputs from the respective wipers of the potentiometers 201and 202 are respectively connected, via respective capacitors 203 and204 and conductive members within a cable 200 to respective inputs torespective right-, left- mixing potentiometers 205 and 206 within thehand-grasp 37. The respective wipers of the potentiometers 205 and 206within the hand-grasp 37 (also shown in FIG. 1A) are ganged together soas to jointly movable by manipulating the knurled actuator 42 (alsoshown in FIG. 1A), illustrated diagrammatically within dashed lines. TheCD player 53 (also shown in FIG. 1B) has, as is conventional, respectiveright-, left- outputs which are conductively connected, via the cable200, to respective potentiometers 207 and 208 within the hand-grip 37,the respective wipers of these potentiometers, which are ganged forjoint movement, being movable by manipulation of the knurled actuator 43(also shown in FIG. 1A). The audio outputs from the mixingpotentiometers 207 and 208 are connected by respective capacitors 209and 210, via the cable 200, to respective resistors 211 and 212 withinthe main housing 9 of the camera 10 so as to be recorded on therecording tape 30 (FIG. 1A) together with the video, in conventionalfashion, the high (ungrounded) ends of the two resistors 211 and 212being connected to the respective right- and left- audio recordingchannels of the VCR within the main housing 9 of the camera 10. Thus,the levels of the audio outputs from the right- and left-microphones 31,32 and the audio levels from the right- and left-output channels fromthe CD player 53 can be independently adjusted, using the respectiveadjusting actuators 42 and 43, the balance of the respective right- andleft- microphones being independently adjustable by the actuators 47aand 47b.

As shown, the microphones 31 and 32 can be taken out of the circuit byinserting respective plugs, functionally illustrated by the single-pole,double-throw switches 220 and 221, into the respective receptacles 49aand 49b (FIG. 1A), which plugs could be used to connect respectiveoff-camera right- and left-microphones (not shown) into the circuit inplace of the microphones 31 and 32. Such off-camera microphones would beconnected to the respective receptacles 49a and 49b via respectiveextension cords (not shown).

The circuit also includes a separate feed from the right channel of theCD player 53 (the other or both of the two output channels from the CDplayer CD could be used) via a coupling capacitor 213 and a leveladjusting potentiometer 214, the wiper of which can be set via theknurled actuator 52 (also shown in FIG. 1A). As indicated above, theoutput from the potentiometer 214 is, as shown, fed to the speaker 215behind the grill 36 (also visible in FIGS. 1A, 1B). The speaker 215 canbe taken out of the circuit by the insertion of a plug functionallyillustrated by a single-pole, double-throw switch 222, into thereceptacle 62, this plug being connected, in one case, to the extensioncord 70 which, as shown in FIG. 3, is connected to a remote speaker 71.Another alternative would be to connect a short patch cord between thereceptacles 62 and 63 so that the radio transmitter 60 (FIGS. 1B, 3)would broadcast a modulated radio frequency signal, via its antenna 61,to a remote radio receiver, such as a radio receiver 74 (FIG. 3) havingthe receiving antenna 75 carried by a subject, such as an individual 72(FIG. 3), who is to be recorded. Of course, other subjects, such as anadditional individual 73 (FIG. 3) could also be provided with a radioreceiver so that each could receive at least one channel of the audiofrom the CD player 53 (FIG. 1B).

Provisions are made for receiving respective right- and left- channelexternal audio inputs, which can replace the CD player 53 outputs, viarespective receptacles 65a and 65b (FIG. 1B). The insertion ofrespective jacks, functionally illustrated as respective single-pole,double-throw switches 223 and 224, into the receptacles 64a and 64bserve to disconnect the corresponding channels from the CD player 53. Inthis case, one of the external connected channels would also provide aninput to the speaker behind the grill 36 (FIG. 1A, 1B) or the receptacle62 (FIG. 1B).

The audio pause actuator 41 can be used to pause the CD player 53, thisactuator being in parallel with the pause actuator button 59 on the CDplayer 53. The actuators 45 and 46 are used respectively to start/stopthe video cassette and the CD player independently. In accordance withthe present invention the actuator 39 is provided to control amicroprocessor 400 in the event one wishes to record a series of scenes,while assuring the audio feed from the CD player 53 will not seem, onplayback, to have been interrupted. As illustrated in simplified form,the actuator 39 when not being pressed places a low (ZERO) signal on theinput terminal of the flip-flop 401, via a single-pole, double-throwswitch 226. When the actuator 39 is depressed, a high (ONE) signal,shown schematically as being provided from a d.c. voltage source,illustrated as a battery 225 via the single-pole, double-throw switch226. The details of the circuits associated with the flip-flop 401 is tobe discussed in detail below with reference to FIG. 4.

Reference is made to FIG. 3, to provide an illustration of the hand-heldvideo recording camera 10 in use. As visible in FIG. 3, the camera 10includes the CD player 53, the right, camera-carried microphone 31carried by a cameraman 66, shown as standing on a boardwalk 67 at anactive beach area designated generally by the numeral 68 and extendingbeyond the boardwalk 67. An extension cord 70 extends from thereceptacle 62 to a remote speaker 71 positioned on the boardwalk 67. Apair of subjects 72, 73 are shown in front of the camera 10 beingrecorded. One of the subjects 72, a man, is shown with a radio receiver74, provided with a receiving antenna 75 in his back pocket. An audiosignal carrying cord 76 extends from the radio receiver 74 to anearphone (not visible) which the subject 72 has in his ear. The radioreceiver 74 is turned to receive signals from the radio transmitter 60,when audio is fed thereto, as mentioned above, via a patch cord (notshown) which may extend from the receptacle 62 on the camera 10 to thereceptacle 63 (FIG. 1A) on the radio transmitter 60. In this case, theextension cord 70 is removed from the receptacle 62 and the patch cord(not shown) used to connect the audio signal to the transmitter 60.

Turning now to FIG. 4, which shows some details of the microprocessorarrangement. As shown, a microprocessor 400 is caused to start executingthe routine shown in FIG. 5 by simply depressing the button actuator 39(FIG. 1A) on the hand-grip 37 (FIG. 1A). The microprocessor 400 isprogrammed (or hard-wired) to carry out the sequence of steps 501 to 512illustrated in FIG. 5 upon the first depression (and later odd-number ofdepressions) of the button actuator 39. Thereafter, upon the second (andlater even numbered) depressions of the button actuator 39, themicroprocessor carries out the sequence of steps 513 to 516 illustratedin FIG. 5, the so called button to which reference is made in steps 501and 512 being the button actuator 39 (FIGS. 1A, 2) which provides theinput to the flip-flop 401 (FIG. 4). Thus, one is assured that the videoand the further audio signals, the latter from the CD 53 (FIG. 1A) oranother recorded external source are fed to the VCR so that the audiosignals will appear to be virtually free of interruptions. Themicroprocessor 400 is provided with two control input signals providedrespectively from the Q and Q output terminals of a bistable flip-flop401. The Q output terminal is connected to a differentiating circuitconstituted by the series connection of a capacitor 402 and a resistor403 connected between the output terminal Q and a point of referencepotential (ground). One input terminal of the microprocessor 400 isconductively connected to a circuit point between the capacitor 402 andthe resistor 403. The Q output terminal of the flip-flop 401 isconnected to a second differentiating circuit constituted by a capacitor404 and resistor 405, one end of the resistor 405 being connected to thepoint of reference potential (ground). The second input terminal of themicroprocessor 400 is conductively connected to a circuit point betweenthe capacitor 404 and the resistor 405. A vertical sync pulse detector406, which is operatively arranged to detect vertical sync pulses in thevideo output from the VCR within the camera 10 (FIG. 1A) during backscanand playback thereof, has its output connected to a data input terminalof the microprocessor 400. The detector 406 supplies a pulse to themicroprocessor 400 upon each detection of a vertical sync pulse in thevideo output of the VCR.

Upon a depression of the button actuator 39 (FIG. 1A) a high (ONE) levelappears for a time on a single input terminal of the bistate flip-flop401, which initially has been set so that its Q output terminal is low(ZERO); as a result, the Q output terminal goes high (ONE). The leadingedge of this wave is differentiated in the differentiating circuitconsisting of the series connected capacitor 402 and the resistor 403, apositive going voltage spike appearing across the resistor 403; thus,the step 501 (FIG. 5) is accomplished and the microprocessor 400 carriesout the steps 502-511 (FIG. 5) by producing the first five outputcommand signals on its output lines 407-411. Upon a second depression ofthe button actuator 39, provided step 511 (FIG. 5) has been completed,the flip-flop 401 goes to its other bistable state, its Q outputterminal goes low (ZERO) and the Q output terminal of the microprocessorgoes high (ONE). The capacitor 404 and the resistor 405 effect adifferentiation of the wave appearing on the output terminal Q, aresulting positive going voltage spike appearing across the resistor405. Thus, the step 512 is accomplished and the microprocessor 400carries out the steps 513-516, producing further output command signalson its output lines 412-414. The entire sequence, is repeated as manytimes as desired to produce a recording of a sequence of scenes withmusic from the external or internal source of further recorded audiosignals seemingly uninterrupted.

It is to be appreciated, that the foregoing description and accompanyingillustrations have been set out by way of example, not by way oflimitation. Numerous variants and other embodiments are possible withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, its scope beingdefined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a hand-held video recording camera having alens, an image pickup means operatively arranged to receive imageinformation from the lens for converting the image information into anelectric image data output signal, microphonic means operativelyarranged to receive sound from a subject or subjects within view of thelens for producing audio signals corresponding to the sound received andmeans for recording signals representing the image data and audiosignals, an improvement comprising a source within the hand-held cameraof further audio signals; audio mixing means within the hand-held camerafor mixing the audio signals corresponding to the sound received by saidmicrophone means and to the further audio signals, said audio mixingmeans having its output coupled to said means for recording signalsrepresenting the image data and the audio signals; and reproducing meanscarried by the hand-held recording camera and responsive to the furtheraudio signals from said source of further audio signals within thehand-held camera for projecting sound corresponding to the further audiosignals toward a subject or subjects to be recorded.
 2. The hand-heldvideo camera according to claim 1, wherein said source within thehand-held camera of audio signals comprises a compact disk player. 3.The hand-held camera according to claim 1, including means for adjustinglevel of the further audio signals in circuit between said source of thefurther audio signals and said reproducing means responsive to thefurther audio signals whereby level of sound projected toward a subjector subjects may be adjustably set.
 4. The hand-held video recordingcamera according to claim 3, wherein the recording camera includes ahand-grip and wherein said means in circuit for adjusting level of thefurther audio signals, whereby level of sound projected may beadjustably set, includes an actuator carried by the hand-grip andaccessible to an operator holding the camera.
 5. The hand-held videorecording camera according to claim 3, including additional means foradjusting the level of the further audio signals in circuit between saidsource of further audio signals and said audio mixing means, wherebylevel of the audio signals from the source of further audio signals canbe independently adjusted with respect to audio signals received fromsaid microphone means.
 6. The hand-held video recording camera accordingto claim 5, wherein said recording camera includes a hand-grip andwherein said means in circuit between said source of further audiosignals and said audio mixing means, whereby level of the audio signalsfrom the source of further audio signals can be independently adjusted,includes an actuator carried by the hand-grip and accessible to anoperator holding the camera.
 7. The hand-held video recording cameraaccording to claim 3, wherein the recording camera includes a hand-gripand wherein said means in circuit for adjusting level of the furtheraudio signals, whereby level of the sound projected may be adjustablyset, includes a first actuator carried by the hand-grip and accessibleto an operator holding the camera, and including additional means foradjusting the level of the further audio signals in circuit between saidsource of further audio signals and said audio mixing means, wherebylevel of the audio signals from the source of further audio signals canbe independently adjusted with respect to audio signals received fromsaid microphone means, said additional means including an additionalactuator carried by the hand-grip and accessible to an operator holdingthe camera.
 8. The hand-held video recording camera according to claim7, including receptor means on the camera for receiving an audio signalfrom an external audio source.
 9. The hand-held video recording cameraaccording to claim 8, including means responsive to the presence of aconnection to said receptor means for interrupting audio being fed tosaid mixing means from said source of said further audio signals withinthe hand-held camera and for allowing audio signals from the externalaudio source to be fed to said mixing means via said connection and saidreceptor means.
 10. The hand-held video recording camera according toclaim 7, including receptor means on the hand-held camera coupled to thesource of audio signals within the hand-held camera, further reproducingmeans for projecting sound corresponding to the further audio signalstoward a subject or subjects to be recorded, and extension cord meansextending from said receptor means to said further reproducing meanswhereby audio signals from the source of further audio signals may beprojected toward the subject or subjects from points which are remotefrom the hand-held recording camera.
 11. The hand-held video recordingcamera according to claim 10, including means responsive to the presenceof a connection to the receptor means for interrupting audio being fedto said reproducing means carried by the hand-held camera forinterrupting audio signals being fed to said reproducing means carriedby the recording camera and for allowing audio signals from the sourceof further audio signals within the recording camera to be fed to saidfurther reproducing means.
 12. The hand-held video recording cameraaccording to claim 7, including radio transmitting means on thehand-held camera modulated from the source of audio signals within thehand-held camera, remote radio receiving means for receiving signalsfrom said radio transmitting means for demodulating the received signalsand projecting sound corresponding to the further audio signals toward asubject or subjects to be recorded, whereby audio signals from thesource of further audio signals may be projected toward the subject orsubjects from points which are remote from the hand-held recordingcamera.
 13. The hand-held video recording camera according to claim 1,including receptor means on the camera for receiving an audio signalfrom an external audio source.
 14. The hand-held video recording cameraaccording to claim 13, including means responsive to the presence of aconnection to said receptor means for interrupting audio being fed tosaid mixing means from said source of said further audio signals withinthe hand-held camera and for allowing audio signals from the externalaudio source to be fed to said mixing means via said connection and saidreceptor means.
 15. The hand-held video recording camera according toclaim 1, including receptor means on the hand-held camera coupled to thesource of audio signals within the hand-held camera, further reproducingmeans for projecting sound corresponding to the further audio signalstoward a subject or subjects to be recorded, and extension cord meansextending from said receptor means to said further reproducing meanswhereby audio signals from the source of further audio signals may beprojected toward the subject or subjects from points which are remotefrom the hand-held recording camera.
 16. The hand-held video recordingcamera according to claim 15, including means responsive to the presenceof a connection to the receptor means for interrupting audio being fedto said reproducing means carried by the hand-held camera forinterrupting audio signals being fed to said reproducing means carriedby the recording camera and for allowing audio signals from the sourceof further audio signals within the recording camera to be fed to saidfurther reproducing means.
 17. The hand-held video recording cameraaccording to claim 1, including radio transmitting means on thehand-held camera modulated from the source of audio signals within thehand-held camera, remote radio receiving means for receiving signalsfrom said radio transmitting means for demodulating the received signalsand supply sound corresponding to the further audio signals to a subjector subjects to be recorded, whereby audio signals from the source offurther audio signals may be projected toward the subject or subjectsfrom points which are remote from the hand-held recording camera. 18.The hand-held video recording camera according to claim 1, includingmeans for assuring that when the video recorder is restarted to recordscenes in sequence, audio signals from the internal source of furtheraudio signal start to be recorded at substantially the point of priorinterruption.
 19. In a hand-held video recording camera having a lens,an image pickup means operatively arranged to receive image informationfrom the lens for converting the image information into an electricimage data output signal, microphonic means operatively arranged toreceive sound from a subject or subjects within view of the lens forproducing audio signals corresponding to the sound recevied and meansfor recording signals representing the image data and audio signals, animprovement comprising a source within the hand-held camera of furtheraudio signals; audio mixing means within the hand-held camera for mixingthe audio signals corresponding to the sound received by said microphonemeans and to the further audio signals, said audio mixing means havingits output coupled to said means for recording signals representing theimage data and the audio signals; and reproducing means responsive tothe further audio signals from said source of further audio signalswithin the hand-held camera for projecting sound corresponding to thefurther audio signals toward a subject or subjects to be recorded. 20.The hand-held video camera according to claim 19, wherein said sourcewithin the hand-held camera of audio signals comprises a compact diskplayer.
 21. The hand-held video recording camera according to claim 19,including means for adjusting the level of the further audio signals incircuit between said source of further audio signals and said audiomixing means, whereby level of the audio signals from the source offurther audio signals can be independently adjusted with respect toaudio signals received from said microphone means.
 22. The hand-heldvideo recording camera according to claim 21, wherein said recordingcamera includes a hand-grip and wherein said means in circuit betweensaid source of further audio signals and said audio mixing means,whereby level of the audio signals from the source of further audiosignals can be independently adjusted, includes an actuator carried bythe hand-grip and accessible to an operator holding the camera.
 23. Thehand-held video recording camera according to claim 19, includingreceptor means on the camera for receiving an audio signal from anexternal audio source.
 24. The hand-held video recording cameraaccording to claim 23, including means responsive to the presence of aconnection to said receptor means for interrupting audio being fed tosaid mixing means from said source of said further audio signals withinthe hand-held camera and for allowing audio signals from the externalaudio source to be fed to said mixing means via said connection and saidreceptor.
 25. In a hand-held video recording camera having a lens, animage pickup means operatively arranged to receive image informationfrom the lens for converting the image information into an electricimage data output signal, microphonic means operatively arranged toreceive sound from a subject or subjects within view of the lens forproducing audio signals corresponding to the sound received and meansfor recording signals representing the image data and audio signals, animprovement comprising a source within the hand-held camera of furtheraudio signals; and reproducing means carried by the hand-held recordingcamera and responsive to the further audio signals from said source offurther audio signals within the hand-held camera for projecting soundcorresponding to the further audio signals toward a subject or subjectsto be recorded.
 26. The hand-held video camera according to claim 25,wherein said source within the hand-held camera of audio signalscomprises a compact disk player.
 27. The hand-held camera according toclaim 25, including means for adjusting level of the further audiosignals in circuit between said source of the further audio signals andsaid reproducing means responsive to the further audio signals wherebylevel of sound projected toward a subject or subjects may be adjustablyset.
 28. The hand-held video recording camera according to claim 27,wherein the recording camera includes a hand-grip and wherein said meansin circuit for adjusting level of the further audio signals, wherebylevel of sound projected may be adjustably set includes an actuatorcarried by the hand-grip and accessible to an operator holding thecamera.
 29. The hand-held video recording camera according to claim 25,including receptor means on the camera for receiving an audio signalfrom an external audio source.
 30. The hand-held video recording cameraaccording to claim 25, including receptor means on the hand-held cameracoupled to the source of audio signals within the hand-held camera,further reproducing means for projecting sound corresponding to thefurther audio signals toward a subject or subjects to be recorded, andextension cord means extending from said receptor means to said furtherreproducing means whereby audio signals from the source of further audiosignals may be projected toward the subject or subjects from pointswhich are remote from the hand-held recording camera.
 31. The hand-heldvideo recording camera according to claim 30, including means responsiveto the presence of a connection to the receptor means for interruptingaudio being fed to said reproducing means carried by the hand-heldcamera for interrupting audio signals being fed to said reproducingmeans carried by the recording camera and for allowing audio signalsfrom the source of further audio signals within the recording camera tobe fed to said further reproducing means.
 32. The hand-held videorecording camera according to claim 25, including radio transmittingmeans on the hand-held camera modulated from the source of audio signalswithin the hand-held camera, remote radio receiving means for receivingsignals from said radio transmitting means for demodulating the receivedsignals and supply sound corresponding to the further audio signals to asubject or subjects to be recorded, whereby audio signals from thesource of further audio signals may be projected toward the subject orsubjects from points which are remote from the hand-held recordingcamera.
 33. The hand-held video recording camera according to claim 25,including means for assuring that when the video recorder is restartedto record scenes in sequence, audio signals from the internal source offurther audio signals start to be recorded at substantially the point ofprior interruption.
 34. In a hand-held video recording camera having alens, an image pickup means operatively arranged to receive imageinformation from the lens for converting the image information into anelectric image data output signal, microphonic means operativelyarranged to receive sound from a subject or subjects within view of thelens for producing audio signals corresponding to the sound received andmeans for recording signals representing the image data and audiosignals, an improvement comprising a source within the hand-held cameraof further audio signals; audio mixing means within the hand-held camerafor mixing the audio signals corresponding to the sound received by saidmicrophone means and to the further audio signals, said audio mixingmeans having its output coupled to said means for recording signalsrepresenting the image data and the audio signals; and means forassuring when the video recorder is restarted to record scenes insequence, audio signals from the internal source within the hand-heldcamera of further audio signals start to be recorded at virtually pointof prior interruption of signals from the source.
 35. The hand-heldvideo camera according to claim 34, including reproducing means carriedby the hand-held recording camera and responsive to the further audiosignals from said source of further audio signals within the hand-heldcamera for projecting sound corresponding to the further audio signalstoward a subject or subjects to be recorded.
 36. The hand-held cameraaccording to claim 35, including means for adjusting level of thefurther audio signals in circuit between said source of the furtheraudio signals and said reproducing means responsive to the further audiosignals whereby level of sound projected toward a subject or subjectsmay be adjustably set.
 37. The hand-held video recording cameraaccording to claim 36, wherein the recording camera includes a hand-gripand wherein said means in circuit for adjusting level of the furtheraudio signals, whereby level of sound projected may be adjustably set,includes an actuator carried by the hand-grip and accessible to anoperator holding the camera.
 38. The hand-held video camera according toclaim 34, wherein said source within the hand-held camera of audiosignals comprises a compact disk player.
 39. The hand-held videorecording camera according to claim 34, including additional means foradjusting the level of the further audio signals in circuit between saidsource of further audio signals and said audio mixing means, wherebylevel of the audio signals from the source of further audio signals canbe independently adjusted with respect to audio signals received fromsaid microphone means.
 40. The hand-held video recording cameraaccording to claim 39, wherein said recording camera includes ahand-grip and wherein said means in circuit between said source offurther audio signals and said audio mixing means, whereby level of theaudio signals from the source of further audio signals can beindependently adjusted, includes an actuator carried by the hand-gripand accessible to an operator holding the camera.
 41. The hand-heldvideo recording camera according to claim 34, wherein the recordingcamera includes a hand-grip, means for adjusting level of the furtheraudio signals in circuit between said source of further audio signalsand said reproducing means, whereby level of the sound projected may beadjustably set, includes a first actuator carried by the hand-grip andaccessible to an operator holding the camera, and including additionalmeans for adjusting the level of the further audio signals in circuitbetween said source of further audio signals and said audio mixingmeans, whereby level of the audio signals from the source of furtheraudio signals can be independently adjusted with respect to audiosignals received from said microphone means, said additional meansincluding an additional actuator carried by the hand-grip and accessibleto an operator holding the camera.
 42. In a system which includes ahand-held video recording camera having a lens, an image pickup meansoperatively arranged to receive image information from the lens forconverting the image information into an electric image data outputsignal, microphonic means operatively arranged to receive sound from asubject or subjects within view of the lens for producing audio signalscorresponding to the sound received and means for recording signalsrepresenting the image data and audio signals, an improvement comprisinga source of further audio signals; audio mixing means within thehand-held camera for mixing the audio signals corresponding to the soundreceived by said microphone means and to the further audio signals, saidaudio mixing means having its output coupled to said means for recordingsignals representing the image data and the audio signals; and means forassuring when the video recorder is restarted to record scenes insequence, audio signals from the source of further audio signals startto be recorded at virtually point of prior interruption of signals fromthe source.
 43. The system according to claim 42, wherein said source offurther audio signals is a compact disk player.